Is it becoming more difficult for Dad to take proper care of his yard or bend over to take the laundry out of the dryer? Does it seem like too much effort some days for him to cook or take care of basic housework?

Maybe your mom has experienced a small stroke. She is about to be discharged from the hospital and wants to return home. But she needs speech therapy, physical therapy and help with eating and transferring from bed to chair. She shouldn’t be alone for the first few weeks.

These are familiar scenarios faced by thousands of American families every day. If you’re not familiar with eldercare options and how to help an aging loved one, chances are you will be in the future! Today, one in four American families is already involved to some degree in the care of an elderly person. And since most older adults prefer to stay in their own homes rather than move to a nursing home or other senior living facility, home care can be a real life saver for the older adult and family caregivers alike.

A wide array of home care services exist today, including:

• Meal preparation, housekeeping tasks and chores

• Transportation and errands

• Caring Companionship and conversation

• Medication Reminders

Finding the Right Home Caregiver

The first step is to assess the person’s needs. The second step is to find the right provider to give you peace of mind as well as the help you need. But how do you find the right home care worker?

At first glance, it might appear that hiring privately is less expensive. You might go through the informal network or “gray market,” hiring a home helper from a classified ad, a notice in the local senior center, an informal employment agency, or word of mouth. But before you do, ask yourself whether you really want to become the person’s employer, with all the risks and responsibilities that the role entails? Here are some things to think about:

• You are responsible for withholding and reporting income taxes and paying Social Security taxes. This can be very complicated and could also leave you open to having to pay back taxes and penalties.

• If the caregiver is injured while working, you may end up paying the medical bills. The caregiver can file a workman’s compensation claim or even file a lawsuit against you or your family.

• It is up to you to check certificates, licenses, references and criminal background…and to protect against elder abuse and financial exploitation.

• You will be responsible for determining whether the care provider knows how to safely care for your loved one. For example, if your family member needs to be transferred from a wheelchair, you need to be sure that the care provider knows how to do this safely.

• You cannot try to hire someone on a seven-day-per-week basis. No employee can be a good employee for long without having time for personal needs and interests. So, you will need to plan for days off, vacation time and other times when the caregiver cannot be available.

• If there are problems, you are on your own in working things out as an employer. This includes discipline and termination.

The Agency Advantage

Given the burden of finding, hiring, training and functioning as an employer, going to an agency provides obvious advantages. An experienced caregiver arrives pre-screened, trained and under the supervision of the agency. You don’t have to worry about tax withholding, or liability. If the caregiver doesn’t arrive, it’s the agency’s responsibility to provide a backup.

Dealing with the challenges of aging and disability carries with it enough to worry about. Why add uncertainty about your home care worker to the mix?

About Senior Helpers

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Long Beach Island, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Ship Bottom, Little Egg Harbor and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

Did you know that research shows that loneliness is bad for your health? Studies demonstrate that a sense of isolation contributes to higher blood pressure, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.

Unfortunately, feelings of loneliness, isolation or boredom are common for many older adults. A large part of aging is dealing with change:

• children growing up and moving away;
• retirement;
• adjusting to physical limitations;
• selling the family home;
• dealing with the illnesses or deaths of close family and friends.

Some of these changes may result in loneliness, especially the major transitions like illness and death. The common thread is that the relationships and interests you’ve grown to trust and enjoy are no longer available, at least not in the same way they once were.

Here are some ways to help an older adult reconnect with the parts of life that contribute to better physical and mental health.

1. Get ready physically. There is an important link between how they are doing physically and how comfortable they are with taking on new challenges. Help them eat good food, get adequate rest, and (with the advice of a doctor) start a regular exercise program. No matter what their health condition, increasing activity is a plus.

2. Get necessary information. If you they in a retirement community or assisted living facility, recommend that they read the newsletter or bulletin boards for news of upcoming events and ongoing programs. They can also talk to the social services and activities professionals on staff. If they live at home, reading the newspaper and subscribing to recreational, social service, and/or hobby organization newsletters can help. Also have them try listening to the radio or even checking local information on the Internet. You might come across opportunities you haven’t noticed before.

3. Be willing to learn. Encourage the senior in your life to be curious and willing to try out something new. You can find amazing programs at the local library, senior center, or community college. They can take a computer class, learn new ways of keeping in touch with family and friends, and make new friends from around the world on the Internet.

4. Establish a personal routine. Loneliness sometimes grows out of too much empty time. Talk to older adults about getting up and starting the day at a regular time; starting their morning by reading or tuning in to the day’s events through newspapers, radio or television; connecting with one or more friends by telephone each day, just to “check in;” going to exercise class or for a walk; arranging to eat a meal or snack with a friend.

5. Include service to others. No matter who you are, where you live, or where you are in your life, there are ways for you to help others. Opportunities for seniors in your community may include reading to children at the local library, telephoning people who cannot get out, filling shopping bags at a food bank, or talking to a lonely neighbor. There are so many places and people who need help!

You won’t change their life overnight, and it is probably best to take things one step at a time. But feelings of loneliness and isolation can be overcome, and seniors can find satisfying new patterns and relationships in their lives!

Our Senior Helpers caregivers can provide just the companionship your aging loved one needs to overcome loneliness and isolation. Our caregivers come from various backgrounds and many have cared for their own parents and want to help others. Some work in the healthcare field and enjoy working one-on-one with our clients. All of our caregivers truly treasure the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others. Most importantly, we have the systems in place and take the time to try and match the appropriate caregiver with the appropriate client to help ensure a successful relationship.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Long Beach Island, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Ship Bottom, Little Egg Harbor and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

Facts to Know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 76 million cases of “food poisoning” in the U.S. each year-including 5,000 fatal cases. Food-borne illness is caused when harmful microorganisms, mostly bacteria, but sometimes viruses, parasites, molds, or toxins, get into our bodies by means of the food or liquids we consume.

For most people, the symptoms of food poisoning, while definitely unpleasant, are short-term and not life-threatening. But as we grow older, we are more likely to experience hospitalization, permanent health problems, and even death. The greater risk is due to:

• decreased immune system efficiency, so we can’t fight off bacteria as effectively as when we were younger;

• reduced amount of stomach acid, which allows more bacteria to survive in the digestive tract;

• loss of vision and sense of taste, so we become less likely to notice if food is spoiled.

Some Foods Do Not Belong on the Senior Menu

The USDA recommends that seniors and persons with conditions that weaken the immune system avoid certain foods:

Your healthcare provider can give you more information about the foods that are safe for you or your loved one.

More Steps to Avoid Food-borne Illness

Even “safe” foods require safe handling. When purchasing and preparing food, take these sensible precautions:

• At the grocery store, inspect meat packages for tears, eggs for cracked shells, all products for expired “sell-by” dates.

• Wash hands before preparing food.

• Use only acrylic or plastic cutting boards, and clean thoroughly with hot water and soap after use-or better yet, in the dishwasher. Avoid cross-contamination: never allow juices from uncooked meat to come into contact with uncooked foods.

• Cook meats to the recommended temperature (for example, beef to at least 160°, poultry to at least 180°, fish to at least 140°).

• Rinse fresh produce (but don’t use soap).

• Purchased pasteurized juices only (check for a warning label if you’re not sure).

• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers as soon as possible. Consume leftover prepared foods within 3 to 5 days. And be sure your refrigerator temperature is set at 40° or lower.

• Never defrost food at room temperature. Instead, thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave using the “defrost” setting.

• If you bring home restaurant food in a “doggie bag,” only consume it if you can refrigerate it promptly (within two hours, less in warm weather).

Turn Fear into Action

Fresh meats and produce contain so many of the vitamins and other nutrients that are vital for healthy aging! So don’t avoid these foods. Instead, take basic precautions that make it unlikely that you will meet up with any harmful organisms in foods that can make for a miserable—even life-threatening—few days. Safe food handling practices are the key to ensuring that the food you eat is safe and healthy.

At Senior Helpers, our trained Caregivers can help with your aging loved one’s meal preparation to help keep them safe from foodbourne illness.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Long Beach Island, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Ship Bottom, Little Egg Harbor and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

Statistics show significantly reduced risks for heart disease in seniors that get up and get moving

Manchester, New Jersey (February 1, 2011) – It’s a fact – heart disease is the single biggest health risk for seniors across the United States. It is the leading annual cause of death and hospitalizations among all older Americans, but one local company is showing Ocean County seniors that simple nutrition tips and lifestyle tricks can significantly lower the risk of them becoming another statistic.

February is American Heart Month, and as groups around the nation are raising awareness about heart disease, local senior care experts from Senior Helpers are working with the local elderly each day to help fight the battle on the front lines.

In addition to physical exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle can also significantly reduce the risk of suffering heart disease, heart attacks and irregular or rapid heartbeats – all red flags of potential heart failure among the elderly.

“The heart is a muscle, and like every other muscle group in the body, you need to exercise it and give it the nutrients it needs to work properly,” Porchia said. “Especially as you get older.”

“Each senior we work with needs different help and assistance to remain independent,” Porchia said. “Our caregivers are all trained and certified, and they know how to safely promote an individual heart-healthy lifestyle among aging loved ones. Whether it’s help in the kitchen preparing meals, assistance moving around the house during the day, or simply a friend to motivate an aging family member to get out for an afternoon walk, we can help.”

Getting older. It happens to all of us, yet most Americans are afraid of growing old. Television and magazines tend to focus on beautiful young people—giving us the message that aging is a bad thing.

When you see aging loved ones suffering, you may come to think of the elderly as lonely, sick people who can’t take care of themselves and are just waiting to die.

But this image is false! The truth is that most elderly people learn to live with the changes that age brings. And, they enjoy happy and productive lives.

Consider these facts:

Of all the people over age 65, only 5% of them live in nursing homes.

Over 40% of elderly people are married.

Only 19% of people over age 65 have trouble walking. And, about half the people who reach age 85 are able to get around by themselves.

While people do tend to forget a bit as they get older, only 4% of Americans have dementia at age 65.

Let’s face it…life expectancy in the United States increased during the twentieth century. People can expect to live longer and longer. For example, in the next twenty years, the number of people over age 85 will double!

While there is no “fountain of youth”, there are ways to slow down the aging process. You can help your aging loved ones feel their best by following these tips:

Remember that the elderly are at risk for injury from accidents. For example, many older people fall from tripping over something on the floor. Check your aging loved one’s environment regularly for possible safety hazards—and fix any problems.

Encourage your loved ones to stretch their muscles regularly. Even ten minutes of stretching every other day helps prevent age-related stiffness.

Assist your loved ones with their mouth care—especially flossing. Proper mouth care keeps the gums healthy. (Keep in mind that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia!)

Find something to laugh about with your loved ones. It’s important to hold onto a sense of humor as we age, and laughing helps people feel young and alive.

Encourage your overweight loved ones to lose weight. Keep in mind that 33% of Americans are obese…and obesity causes people to age rapidly.

Suggest that your loved ones make regular visits to their physician, eye doctor and dentist. There are a number of screening tests that can be done to catch common illnesses early…including cancer, diabetes, glaucoma and thyroid disease.

Encourage them to get some fresh air and sunshine every day, if the weather cooperates and your loved ones are physically able. Thirty minutes of sunshine a day gives the body a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

Remind your loved ones to wash their hands regularly—just as you do—to avoid spreading germs to themselves and others.

Encourage your loved ones to stay in touch with the world around them by reading the newspaper, watching the news on TV or “surfing” the internet. (Yes, elderly people enjoy computers, too!)

Above all, help your loved ones get some kind of exercise every day—whatever they can tolerate and their doctor will allow. Even a short walk, done daily, will help keep the body young and active. (What’s that saying? Move it or lose it! So, get your loved ones moving and they’ll feel and look younger.)

If you live far away from your aging loved one, or are already juggling the many day to day activities that life throws at us, a Senior Helpers caregiver can help your loved one with all of the above. Call Senior Helpers today to help slow down your loved one’s aging process!

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Long Beach Island, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Ship Bottom, Little Egg Harbor and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

We’d like to introduce you to our very good friend Dr. John H. Powers. John is a world famous infectious attending M.D. We are extremely grateful and fortunate to be armed with Dr. Powers as a resource to provide us with cutting edge information and support.

Dr. Powers is a physician/investigator on faculty as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Prior to his current position Dr. Powers was the Lead Medical Officer for Antimicrobial Drug Development and Resistance Initiatives in the Office of Antimicrobial Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, at the US Food and Drug Administration where he was responsible for issues related to clinical trials and policy in antimicrobial research. Dr Powers also worked in the Office of Medical Policy during his time at FDA. Dr. Powers was a co-chair for the Inter-Agency Task for on Antimicrobial Resistance of 11 federal agencies responsible for implementing the Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance. Prior to joining the FDA, Dr. Powers was assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and he still is on the faculty there as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine. Dr. Powers also actively sees patients weekly in clinic and attends on the infectious diseases service.

Dr. Powers received his bachelor’s degree and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree and residency training from Temple University School of Medicine, where he also served as Chief Resident. He completed his infectious diseases training at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Dr Powers is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

Dr. Powers has been an investigator on over 50 clinical trials. He is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and a member of IDSA’s Research in Resistance Working Group. Dr Powers has particular expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials. He has authored several book chapters and published papers on clinical trial design in the study of infectious diseases and other therapeutic areas. While at FDA he helped formulate the FDA guidance on patient reported outcomes and helped train FDA reviewers in its implementation. He has won several awards for teaching medical students, residents and fellows, and most recently was one of seven nominees for the 2008 Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award by the National Institutes of Health Fellows Committee. In addition, he is on the editorial board of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, as well as a reviewer for several other scientific journals.

Here are three articles written by Dr. Powers that we hope you find beneficial:

Scrapbooking is a great hobby for anyone, especially seniors. It can be both fun and therapeutic, especially if you enjoy writing to document memories and stories that may or may not include accompanying photos. They don’t have to be chronological; some stores actually sell journals with questions already provided to help stimulate recollection.

For those not so keen on writing, you can simply scrapbook photo collections with appropriate commentary, including names of those pictured and the event that was captured.

Many stores, not just specialty ones, carry lots of basic as well as fun and theme-based scrapbooking supplies since it has become such a popular hobby. Those who enjoy talking can skip paper scrapbooking and dictate memories and thoughts into a tape recorder or on videotape. Another idea is to create a family tree information you already have, or if you have a computer, through online genealogy websites. Best of all, whatever the end product it is, can be handed to loved ones as a treasured keepsake.

Our Senior Helpers caregivers can help your aging loved one with these activities and much more. Our caregivers come from variousbackgrounds and many have cared for their own parents and want to help others. Some work in the healthcare field and enjoy working one-on-one with our clients. All of our caregivers truly treasure the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others. Most importantly, we have the systems in place and take the time to try and match the appropriate caregiver with the appropriate client to help ensure a successful relationship.

Here is just a sneak peak of some of the many services our caregivers can provide:

Caring Companionship & Conversation

Light Housekeeping

Errands & Transportation

Laundry

Change Linens & Bed Making

Play Games/Cards

Supervise Home Maintenance

Rent & Play Movies

Organize Closets & Pantries

Attend Events

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Long Beach Island, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Ship Bottom, Little Egg Harbor and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.